sign in sign up
<<
Home , Roger Sherman

Constitutional Conversations Study Guide

Forgotten Founders (5:39) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQgdS5MOnYA Summary This short video examines why some the national stage. Professor Daniel Founders have been “forgotten” by Dreisbach explains how an early death (e.g. subsequent generations. Some individuals, ) or a minimal written record like , found themselves “on also contributed to some Founders being the wrong side of history”. Others, like “forgotten.” , played no further role on

Courses appropriate for this segment: History, American Government Grade level: 9-12

RECALL QUESTIONS

1. According to Dr. Dreisbach, how does he define a “Forgotten Founder?” 2. List three people mentioned in the video that he believed to be Forgotten Founders. 3. Describe one reason that some Founders have been forgotten. 4. Choose one of the Forgotten Founders and explain why they specifically have been forgotten.

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS

1. Choose one of the reasons mentioned and explain why that would be a reason that we have forgotten some Founders. 2. Of the Forgotten Founders, which one do you believe should most be remembered? Defend. 3. Of the Forgotten Founders, which one do you believe should most be forgotten? Defend.

ASSESSMENT OR ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

1. Students may research one of the Forgotten Founders and develop an argument why they should be remembered.

© Memorial Fellowship Foundation

2. Students may create a social media profile for one of the Forgotten Founders (using the format of Facebook, Twitter or other current media). Elements could include an image, date and location of birth, occupation, other accomplishments, and an argument for them being remembered like Washington and others.

ANSWERS FOR RECALL QUESTIONS

1. Someone who made significant contribution to the American Founding, but is lesser known or forgotten 2. George Mason; Sam Adams; Roger Sherman; John Dickinson 3. Left national stage: died early after the ratification, entered other ventures or state-level politics; or did not leave a rich written record; or wrong end of political debates

SUGGESTED ANSWERS FOR CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS SUGGESTED ANSWERS

1. E.G., Dickinson did not sign the Declaration of Independence and was viewed as being on the wrong side of the patriot cause OR Roger Sherman didn’t leave as much of a written record for historians to use compared to others so we remember the contributions of others better 2. Answers will vary. 3. Answers will vary.

CLASSROOM STRATEGIES

1. Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Each group should identify: (1) the reasons for Founders to have been forgotten and (2) all of the specific people mentioned. Students should specialize and each member of the group will listen for and record one aspect. After hearing the entire video, the group could share with one another what they recorded. 2. Have the students research another Founder not mentioned in the video, such as members of the Continental Congresses or the Constitutional Convention. Have the students (1) identify the contributions that the individual made to America’s Founding, and (2) propose why this particular individual is not as well known as or James Madison. You can further extend this activity by asking the students to make a 30 second persuasive speech to convince a hypothetical “Founders Hall of Fame” to induct the individual that they studied.

Created by Vince Bradburn, ’15 (IN) of Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville, Indiana

©James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation